Safety crossing



t May 28, 1929.

.J.F.GOQDENOUGH SAFTY CROSSING Filed July 15, 1927 Q5 A Qa Patented May 28, 1929.

UNITED s'ra'res JAMESFREDERICK GOODENOUGH, 0F CORPUS CHRSTI, TEXAS.

lSAFETY CROSSING.

Application led July 15,

My present invention has reference to a means and apparatus for imparting warning at a railway crossing when a train is approaching the crossing.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of simple means. for automatically actuating a signal at a railway crossing when a train is approaching such crossing.

A further object is the provision of a means for this purpose that includes a novel construction of circuit makers which is directly attached tothe train and which automatically completes the circuit so as to flash or sound signals at a crossing in order that persons may have ample warning that a train is approaching the crossing and thereby obviate accidents which frequently occur at crossings.

To the attainment of the foregoing and other objects which will present themselves as the nature of the invention is better understood, the improvement further resides in certain other novel features of construction, combination and operative association of parts, one satisfactory embodiment of which is disclosed by the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view showing the improvement in applied position at the crossing of a railway.

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view therethrough.

Figure 3 is a detail sectional View to illustrate the circuit breaker carried by the train `and showing the roller thereon in contacting engagement with the conductor rai'l.

Figure 4 is an elevation of the construction disclosed by Figure 3.

The rails of the railway track are indicated in the drawings by the numeral 1, and the crossing which traverses the track is indicated by the numeral 2. At the diagonally opposite corners of the crossing I erect posts 3 which carry signals 4. The signals are in the nature of audible alarms such as bells, but may have associated therewith visible indicating means, such as lighting bulbs. Each signal 4 is wired, as at 5, to the respective rails v1 of the track, and the said signals are likef wise wired, as at 5, to contact the conductor rails 6 which are fixedly supported on the supporting ties for the rails 1 at the diagonally opposite corners of the crossing. The rails 6 are spaced from the rails 1 and are, of course, of any desired length, the said rails, however, having their inner ends disposed 1927'.` vsemi No. 206,071.

close to the crossing 2 and each end of the rails is rounded, as at 7, away from'the track rails 1. rEhe contact or conductor rails 6 are supported upon suitable brackets which preferably comprise base members 'or' uprights 8 and removable heads v9. The train or rolling stock is indicated diagrammatically in the drawings. The 'wheels thereof which travel on the rails 1 are indicated by the numeral 1() and the axle by the numeral 11. Supported on theaxle 11 and disposed a suitable distance above the wheels 10 there is a flanged brace beam 12. This beam has on its ends a strip of insulating material 13, and fixed to this strip there is a bracket 14v that has a depending portion merging into an eye 15. The eye receives therethrough a pivot 16 for a metal arm 17. The arm has revolubly associated with its lower end a metal roller 18. The arm is influenced in an outward direction from the bracket through the medium of a spring 19. Passing through the upper end of the arm 17 there is an adjustable element in the nature of a bolt 20. This bolt has its inner end directed toward the bracket 14, the said bolt having screwed thereon nuts 21 between which there is arranged a metal member 23 that is wired, as at 24, to a generator 25 and which generator is in turn wired, as at 26, to the axle 11. By adjusting the bolt20 the outward swinging of the arm 17 isregulated. l

When a train approaches a crossing, the spring influenced arm 17 will have its roller brought into contact with the conductor rail Y u 6 and thereby complete a circuit between the generator 25 and the signal 4. Thus the signal will be illuminated or sounded as long as the train travels towards the crossing. When the train passes the crossing thecircuit will be broken.

The device is of an extremely simple construction and the advantages thereof will, it is thought, be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art to which such invention relates. Obviously l do not wish to be restricted to the precise details of construction herein set forth and, therefore, hold myself entitled to make such changes therefrom as fairly fall within the scope of whatI claim.

If desired, the lights, gongs or bells may be arranged in the center of the highway, if found practical. The gongs, bells or the light can be operated in connection with a generator, in case it is necessary to shut off the generator in the day time. At night when the generator is running the battery Will be energized and brought back to its normal or Y maximum capacity. The system may be also ing the red light. The irst train to arrive at 15 entl the half-mile limit will turn the light on the opposite train and in this rWay Will save the railroads a great deal'of expense in the stopping and starting of the trains. Of course, each railroad will use its system independof the other. aving described the invention, I claim A circuit maker carried by and insulated from a movable support comprising a depending bracket secured to the support, said vbracket being provided with a pair of'eyelets, a depending arm pivoted medially in said eyelets and extending above and below the same, a bolt extending thru the upper end of said arm and adapted to bear against the bracket to limit the swinging movement of the arm, said bolt being adjustable in said arm, a pair of nuts on said bolt having therebetween a Contact element, and a spring se- JAMES FREDERICK GODENOUGH. 

